Home » Emerging Contaminants Outreach » Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in many everyday products since the 1940s. These include things like firefighting foam, non-stick pans, water and stain-resistant fabrics, fast food packaging, and personal care products. PFAS don’t break down easily, which makes them useful, but also means they stick around in our environment for a long time, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”
What are PFAS and where do we find them?
As mentioned above, PFAS compounds are used in many different commonly used products. Two of the PFAS that have been found in Wisconsin’s drinking water, PFOA and PFOS, have been phased out of commercial products. However, they can still be found in our environment as PFAS do not break down easily. Explore the links below to learn more about how PFAS are used and their impacts.
PFAS in Wisconsin Story Map
This UW-Madison Division of Extension story map provides an introduction to PFAS, as well as highlights the stories of people across the state who study PFAS or have been impacted by PFAS.
DNR PFAS Dashboard
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources maintains a dashboard explaining their work with PFAS in our state. Find community resources, consumption advisories, and updates on PFAS in Wisconsin.
DNR PFAS Interactive Data Viewer
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources PFAS Interactive Data Viewer provides insight into where PFAS have been found around the state.
How can PFAS impact my health?
There are many ways people can come into contact with PFAS, such as drinking contaminated water, eating contaminated food, breathing in or swallowing contaminated dust, or using products that contain PFAS. The Wisconsin Department of Health Resources (DHS) warns that long term exposure to PFAS compounds can increase the risk of:
- Increased cholesterol levels.
- Increased risk of thyroid disease.
- Increased risk of some cancers.
- Increased risk of preeclampsia or high blood pressure during pregnancy.
- Lower infant birth weights (the decrease is small and may not affect health).
You can find more information about the health risks of PFAS exposure in the links below.
What are some ways I can avoid PFAS in my everyday life?
PFAS are used in many different consumer products, making it difficult to avoid without effort. There have been federal efforts to remove PFAS from certain products, such as food wrappers. However, other products continue to contain PFAS. The persistence of PFAS in our environment also means that PFAS from decades ago may still be found in our groundwater or soil.
Find out if PFAS are in your drinking water.
Consumer Confidence Report
If you are on a public water system, you can check your water system’s Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Every year, your water system is required to publish a report of the previous year’s water quality. This report includes what the system tested for the previous year, such as bacteria, nitrates, metals or PFAS, and what concentrations were found. You can find it on your water system’s website by searching for the name of the water system and consumer confidence report.
Managing your private well system
For private well owners concerned about emerging contaminants, here you can find resources for learning more about how to test your well, interpret your lab results, and determine your next steps in maintaining your drinking water quality.
Avoid eating contaminated foods.
PFAS Consumption Advisories
PFAS have been found in some Wisconsin waterways and groundwater. Fish, ducks, and deer living in those environments can be exposed to PFAS, making consuming them a risk for PFAS exposure. The DNR creates consumption advisories to protect the public, which can be found on the PFAS interactive Data Viewer or by searching for where you plan to fish in the WI DNR Fish Consumption Advisory Query.
PFAS and Gardening
The Wisconsin DHS has created this fact sheet to support home gardeners in areas with known or suspected PFAS contamination.
How to safely filter drinking water at home?
If you are concerned about the level of PFAS in your water, or are on a private well which has been impacted by PFAS, the Department of Health Services has developed a fact sheet for identifying the best type of filtration unit for your use. Depending on the amount of water you want to treat there are two main types of treatments:
- Point-of-use systems: These systems treat water in one location, such as at a faucet. This kind of system is good for when you want to filter water for drinking and cooking. Some examples of point-of-use systems are granulated activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis.
- Point-of-entry systems: These systems treat water for the entire house. This type of filter is good for when you want to filter water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and bathing. An example of of a point-of-entry system is granulated activated carbon filters.
You may also choose to pursue a countertop filtration system or a pitcher filter for PFAS, however these filter significantly less water than a point-of-use or point-of-entry system. For any type of filter you purchase, check any treatment system to ensure that it is NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certified before purchasing. This certification indicates the system can remove PFAS compounds from drinking water. You can use the National Sanitation Foundation’s online search tool to find an appropriate treatment device for your home.
All treatment systems require regular maintenance or they will become less effective over time. Follow instructions provided by the manufacturer for cleaning and maintenance and, if the device is connected to your plumbing, test your water after it is treated to ensure the filtration devices are working properly. Learn more about filtration systems through the following fact sheets:
Treatment Devices for Private Well Contaminants
This Wisconsin DHS publication explores treatment devices for many different kinds of contaminants that can impact private wells in Wisconsin.
Reducing PFAS in Your Drinking Water
This Wisconsin DHS publication explains two types of filtration for PFAS in a private well, granulated activated carbon and reverse osmosis systems.
How are water utilities removing PFAS from our water?
Public water systems in the United States must monitor for PFAS and provide their public with information regarding the levels of PFAS they found by 2027, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA published their final PFAS national primary drinking water regulations in April of 2024.
Currently, utilities have three primary technologies they use for removing PFAS from water:
High pressure membrane systems
High pressure membrane systems, such as reverse osmosis or nanofiltration, involves filtering water through a semipermeable membrane from an area of contaminated water to an area of pure water.
Ion exchange resin systems
Ion exchange resins are beads of resin that catch and hold onto contaminants in water.
Granulated activated carbon (GAC) systems
Granular activated carbon (GAC) systems function by using granules of carbon rich materials that catch contaminants flowing through a water system.
Learn more about these technologies on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website.
Questions?
Contact us if you have follow up questions regarding these resources. If you have specific questions regarding health or environmental contamination we recommend reaching out to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services or Department of Natural Resources.
Environmental Health
Questions about environmental health, such as your health and PFAS? Reach out to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services at dhsenvhealth@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Environmental Contaminants
Learn more about environmental contaminants at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources or reach out with your PFAS specific questions at DNRPFASInquiries@wisconsin.gov.